2010 Results
Offsite Inspection permitted. Seller courteous but misrepresented the extent of the damage, "Nothing in front or back, mostly the side," says seller, "No air bag was deployed. So it wasn't a major accident." The seller says, "Otherwise the car is perfect, there is no structure damage...it was just side scratched kind of thing." APA inspection indicates repairs below commercial standards. Highlights: Small hole in floor from missing plug, left rocker panel sagging, front bumper replaced with one from a 2003 model and loose; extensive body repair on left side, transmission leak, bent sway bar link. The inspection report that approved the repair prepared by Cales Collision Rebuilder. Dealer is forthcoming with documentation on each vehicle. No DOC fees. Seller says, "Why would somebody buy a car and then charge a documentation fee for giving a bill of sale." (Nice). No extra fees for financing. History search indicates a rebuilt title issued 09/27/08 for the Matrix and 04/04/09 for the Civic.

Chan's Auto Ltd
7469 Edmonds Street
BurnabyFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted. Seller under-reports collision damage and repairs on both vehicles. The Nissan Versa had "No frame damage", and a "New set of airbags, don't worry", and "You can see here (pointing to the radiator), "radiator, everything original, so accident small." Dealer does own repairs, "...(except) for example, just fix some frame and (change) metal pieces and paint it." APA inspection on the Versa shows fenders, grill, bumpers and hood were replaced and both frame rails and aprons are still damaged. Seller represented the Yaris as having changed, "bumper cover, headlight and hood. Seller also said, " This car got hit on the top of the bumper. So it's not on the frame....The frame is on the middle of the bumper." APA confirms the Yaris sustained a frontal impact; the frame rails and aprons appeared to have been damaged and repaired. No DOC fee. History search reports a rebuilt title as of 09/26/09 on the Nissan Versa and a salvage title on the Toyota Yaris on 09/12/09. Seller indicatess they're rebuilts.

Exclusive Auto Brokers
6871 E. Hastings Street
BurnabyFail

2013 Results
This dealer failed on account of the high DOC fee not listed in their ad. Most vehicles on the lot are 2003 and older. There a two 2009s, and four 2006 vehicles including a BMW, Civic, Camry and a Hummer. Cars are bought in packages from new car dealers that have taken them in trade. “We keep the better ones and get rid of the junky ones.” The dealer says insurance write-offs have to go through an inspection before they're put back on the road. ICBC boosts repair costs to write vehicles off. More>>

GN Motors
5730 S.E. Marine Drive
BurnabyFail

2013 Results
Nice-looking facility, with an exceptional selection of hard-to-find recent models at competitive prices. The selection includes both domestics and imports, and cars, trucks and SUVs. “We get them from the US that’s why we can sell them cheaper.” The ad also says they are a car rental, finance and body shop operation. The high $495 DOC fee is posted on vehicles at the lot, but not mentioned in their ad. It accounts for the failure. More>>

Gold Seal Motors Ltd.
1530 Boundary Road
BurnabyPass

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted, "No problem." Seller discloses the Matrix is an out of province daily rental from Alberta. Dealer has "no idea" if the car was hit. APA inspection shows cosmetic repainting to right-side doors and fender.

Lexington Auto
4290 Halifax St
BurnabyPass

2013 Results
Good selection of vehicles. The Versa and Fiesta are clean, B.C. cars. With Basant Motors, the inventory at this dealership was in the best overall condition seen during the investigation. The selection included Honda Accords and Civics, some Toyotas, Ford cars and trucks, and a Fiat 500. Knowledgeable salesperson who accurately disclosed the history of the vehicles she was selling. The dealer permits an inspection at a location chosen by the buyer. More>>

Luxor Motor Sport
1854 Douglas Rd
BurnabyPass

2013 Results
Lots of US vehicles. The inventory includes Mercedes-Benz, a Ford Explorer, Mazda Tribute, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, 10 Altimas, 3 Versa subcompacts and half a dozen Mazda 6’s. Vehicles are nicely detailed. (Also for sale, a 2001 Acura Integra for $5995 with a bent unibody – it was too old for inclusion in this report.) The APA expert reports that almost all cars are clean. A man in the shop is repainting the bumper on a car. More>>

S & S Auto Sales
5689 Byrne Road
BurnabyFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection not permitted. Seller represented the Golf City as having no accident which is consistent with history searches. APA inspection reveals grill, front bumper, hood and radiator support replaced. Ad price includes a $150 DOC fee, but it's extra on a negotiated price. Misrepresented warranty coverage as BMW certified. A $250 charge added for dealer financing. Good info on financing rates and how they work. Good advice regarding paying down a loan early or bi-weekly to reduce the coast of borrowing.

Trinity Auto Centre
513 Clarke Road
BurnabyFail

2010 Results
Seller courteous. Offsite inspection permitted. Buys trades from other dealers. Large selection of sporty cars including a Corvette, Mustang and Pontiac Solstice in good condition. "Full disclosure" promised in ad. Dealer will provide "all the reports including BCAA inspection and accident history." Fails only on account of high $395 DOC fee.

New Westminster

Black Gold Auto Sales
329-12 SE
New WestminsterPass

2010 Results
No extra fees. Offsite Inspection permitted. Seller declares all vehicles were ICBC write-offs which were repaired at a body shop and finally inspected by ICBC. The inspection report comes from Cales Collision Rebuilders and Tireland Auto Center did the alignment. Seller disclosed the history on the vehicles including picures of the damage. History search indicates that both vehicles have rebuilt titles. APA Inspection shows left side doors close unevenly and body panels don't fit well on the Matrix. The Corolla body panels don't fit well and the paint job is sloppy.

Coast Way Auto Sales
333 12th Street
New WestminsterFail

2013 Results
The APA expert says virtually every car on this lot has been hit. The dealer says all hit cars are purchased from ICBC. After they are repaired, ICBC inspects them, and the dealer can show the photos of the work to the shoppers. More>>

Global Auto Sales
221 12th Street
New WestminsterFail

2013 Results
This dealer specializes in recent-model, collision-damaged trucks, sometimes from out of province, sold at below-market prices for clean vehicles. Repair quality is variable, generally poor. The dealer under-reported pre-existing damage. More>>

Golden Gate Auto Sales Ltd
120 East Columbia
New WestminsterFail

2013 Results
The seller discloses that the silver Matrix has been in an accident and repaired. It’s a local BC car, which has been fully inspected including a wheel alignment. The dealer discloses that two doors on the right side were replaced; everything else is original. “We changed with the same color doors” from another car. The Matrix has undergone a Ministry of Transportation rebuild inspection... More>>

Golden Year Auto Broker
120 East Columbia
New WestminsterFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted. Under-reported collision damage on all three vehicles. "My price is low because has an accident on each car, a small one." APA inspection on the Mazda 3 and the Matrix indicates the left side A pillar damaged on the Matrix and door replaced. Right side A pillar damaged and repaired on the Mazda 3. There is front frame damage on the Yaris. Seller declares collision repair on the Yaris as "$2000 + GST". The repair was done at Unique Collision. When asked if owner knows shop very well and their repairs done well, the owner says, "Yea." The Mazda 3 repair "$1700 + parts." A Mazda dealer supplied new parts. APA notes that the replaced right side fender was not a Mazda 3 fender. Only one tax and no DOC fee on the Yaris as this was a personal-use vehicle. Matrix and Mazda 3 have two taxes and $ 150 DOC fee.

H & F Auto Sales
325 Twelfth Street
New WestminsterFail

2013 Results
The mystery shoppers responded to an ad for a Honda Civic For Sale by Owner posted on Kijiji. The dealer had a second vehicle advertised on Kijiji, also For Sale by Owner. The seller readily identified himself as dealer over the phone. Dealers in British Columbia are prohibited from misrepresenting themselves as private parties in advertising. More>>

North Vancouver

Weymouth Enterprises
155 Pemberton Ave.
North VancouverPass

2013 Results
Small crowded lot. The dealer has more inventory available at an offsite storage facility. The dealer says “Nobody knows CarPages… I was driving them traffic, they never did anything for me.” He has a link on craigslist and built his own website. More>>

Surrey

Angel Motors
13495 King George Hwy
SurreyFail

2010 Results
Fails because an offsite inspection is not permitted. Vehicles taken in trade from seller's community, from people returning to Asia after a couple of years in Canada. Seller says that the ICBC report on the Corolla indicates $3000 damage. Confirmed by history search that indicates a one owner vehicle with a collision claim of $3645. APA inspection shows the bumpers were repainted, body filler on left quarter panel, and rear doors misaligned. Selling price is an all-in price with no extra fees. Seller says, "It's illegal" (to charge extra fees). Good explanation of why Dealer Overhead Charge (DOC) fees will be discontinued eventually.

Basant Motors
16315 Fraser Hwy.
SurreyPass(Best in Vancouver 2013)

2013 Results
A very nice facility with a couple of hundred very nice-looking vehicles, well-detailed, with a high representation of recent model years of domestic and import cars and trucks. Well-priced vehicles. Prices in the ads are about $1500 lower than the prices marked on the vehicles at the lot. The salesperson says it’s no problem -- the current price is the lower one in the ads. More>>

First Rate Motors
16225 Fraser Hwy.
SurreyPass

2013 Results
This dealer performed well in a previous APA investigation. A tired looking facility with a broad mix of vehicles including older Dodge Caravans, a Buick Century and early 2000s Mazda Protegé5. The documentation charge was introduced subsequent to the APA’s previous visit; there used to be none. More>>

First Rate Motors
16225 Fraser Highway
SurreyPass

2010 Results
Offsite Inspection permitted. Provided full disclosure. Reviewed ICBC report and CarProof with the shoppers, and no pages missing from either report. Cars come from auctions and lease returns. Dealer prefers one owner vehicles. Won't buy collisions (confirmed). APA identified two vehicles on the lot: a Corolla with fenders and bumpers repainted and a 2002 Mercedes with front bumper and hood repainted and poor-fitting fenders and grill. The only hit car, according to the seller, was the 2002 Mercedes (correct). The $299 DOC fee is included in the advertised price.

Hare Motors/Hare Auto Group
12375 King George Hwy
SurreyFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted. Vehicles come from dealer-only auctions, says trades from other dealers are unpredictable. " With auction cars you have recourse to return the car to the auction and reverse the sale if there is an issue undeclared by the seller." Seller says the 2009 Corolla, Camry and Matrix on the lot are lease returns that, "a company or person leased and turned in," after one year. Dealer fails to disclose all three vehicles were used daily rentals. Good advice on extra-cost used car warranties and pre-purchase inspections. "If a dealer is not ready to let you take the car for an inspection, then tell them goodbye." Good selection of well-priced late model vehicles. APA inspection shows no significant collisions on any vehicles on the lot less than 6 years old.

King of Cars BC
15685 Fraser Hwy
SurreyFail

2013 Results
The ads show the VIN numbers (nice touch), but some mileages are misrepresented. Failure to disclose former daily rentals, and the extra charge of $395 is not mentioned in dealer advertising. More>>

Legacy Cars.com
12473 King George Highway
SurreyFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted. Seller says vehicles offered for sale are lease returns and the Focus owner was one of a breed of "people," who "change every year -- like business people." Fails to disclose the Focus is a used daily rental. Good presentation by seller on collision reporting in BC regarding claims under $2000 (may not be reported). Seller explains advertised in-house special at 4.99% requires a 60% downpayment. Good explanation of bi-weekly vs monthly payments. Bi-weekly is less than half of a monthly payment because a month has 4 1/2 weeks. Dealer charges a $295 DOC fee.

2013 Results
On the phone, the seller tells the APA shopper the car has been rebuilt after a rear impact and it’s a “very clean car, like brand new.” The seller’s location turns out to be a body shop. The seller claims the Fit was his personal vehicle. He replaced the rear bumper and hatch after he bought it, and that was all. More>>

Pacific Auto Source
10454 King George Hwy.
SurreyFail

2013 Results
The dealer has a large, attractive inventory of recent vehicles, which the seller says have been inspected and serviced. The inventory includes Asian, domestic and European makes (two Toyota Tundras, two Range Rovers, F150 pickups). Excellent vehicle detailing, waxed finishes, almost no vehicles repainted. Some vehicles have worn tires. The seller demonstrated good car knowledge and offered good advice, but was misleading regarding extra fees, and the former daily rentals he was selling. More>>

Rapid Motors
12750 King George Hwy.
SurreyFail

2013 Results
Vehicles are purchased at dealer auctions. Cars like the one-year-old 2012 Nissan Altimas for sale were traded in by multi-million dollar businesses. Buyers of late model used vehicles save on depreciation and the significant additional charges involved in buying a brand new vehicle (good information). The seller states the 2004 Corolla is a theft recovery and it has not been involved in any collisions. More>>

Rapid Finance and Sales
12750 King George Hwy
SurreyPass

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted. Dealer says vehicles are local customer vehicles bought at dealer auctions. The seller says no claim record on either the Corolla or Mazda (confirmed by APA). Seller adds, "Even small claims show up on these reports, anything." APA inspection of the Corolla shows a fender was replaced, front bumper repainted, hood removed and replaced. The Mazda right-side fender, rear trunk and bumper were repainted, and right-side quarter panel repaired with body filler and repainted. Should dealer have been able to spot the repairs? Yes. No extra fees.

Silk Road Autos
13323 King George Hwy
SurreyFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted. According to the ad, the Yaris had 3 inspections, mechanical, structural and safety. Seller disclosed salvage status damage on both vehicles but misrepresented damage on the Yaris as "We are not exactly sure where the accident was," and, ..."There was no area that was hit smashed." Seller adds that an independant inspection by the buyer "...to see if there is any structural damage anywhere and (the buyer) will not find a pinhole." The lower bumper support on the Yaris was still damaged and there was rust on the welds of the bumper support. The grill and the bumpers were replaced. The seller said the Matrix was problematic, "I had problems. The whole rear suspension was replaced." The rear suspension repair was done at a body shop because "this (the owner) can't do". APA inspection of the Matrix shows extensive structural damage such as the frame rail floor right side and bottom trunk area repaired, rear quarter panels and trunk floor repaired and the rear bumper was replaced. History search reports both vehicles have salvage titles.

South Surrey Repo.com
3601 King George Highway
SurreyFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection permitted only at the garage next door that owns the lot. $300 conveyance fee not mentioned in ad, but posted at dealer. Inspection report available. Some under reporting of prior collisions by seller.Seller declared 2 collisions. History search shows many small claims in excess of the two mentioned for both vehicles. Relaxed selling environment. Good selection of vehicles.

Curbsider Georghi (George)
across from Tireland
12359 King George Hwy
SurreyFail

2010 Results
Curbsider is selling the Mazda 3 (His payment for this service is $300) on behalf of Mrs. K Harjeet Nandra in Surrey. Mrs. Nandra and her husband buy salvage vehicles to rebuild for resale."They change cars every year." APA inspection shows that the damage was moderate and did not touch the A-pillars. The interior was dirty and there was lots of wear for indicated 31,000 kms. Inner fender straightened. Curbsider representations as to the warranty voided due to rebuilt title is correct. Inspection permitted. History search indicates owner #4 had vehicle since 6/27/09. The rebuilt title was issued on 01-17-2009. (Note: Curber not calculated in the dealer totals.)

Vancouver

A&A Auto Sales
841 Kingsway
VancouverPass

2013 Results
Lots of good-looking inventory, with a concentration on high-end makes. BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Acura and Honda are all well represented. The seller warns the shoppers that the VW CC only seats four (nice touch). It has the balance of the factory warranty. When the shoppers inquire about winter tires for the large 19” wheels, he offers to try to do something extra for them. For $300 he can get a set of four good used tires installed so the car is delivered ready for winter (another nice touch). The Rogue is a local, accident-free car. APA’s expert says both vehicles are in very good condition. The tires on the Rogue are worn out. Both vehicles are covered by the balance of their power train warranties to five years 100,000 km. The seller says a good extended warranty from an independent company costs a lot of money; protection is similar to the manufacturer plans. An on-site inspection by BCAA is permitted or at a franchised dealer. “We don't trust individual mechanics.” More>>

A&K Auto Center
900 Kingsway
VancouverPass

2013 Results
Lots of older vehicles, none appears obviously bad. Low, negotiable all-in prices. On the Corolla, the seller correctly discloses two small accident claims for $2,777 and $1,555, most recently in March. The car was purchased wholesale from a local Toyota dealer, and servicing performed including the brakes. The G 37 is a local car purchased wholesale from a local dealer. The APA expert notes the G 37 has a lot of wear for the indicated mileage of 74,000 km. The leather on the steering wheel is shiny, the carpet has visible wear in the driver’s footwell, and it has been fully repainted. A subsequent history search confirms the represented mileage. The seller could offer the G37 for $14,500, and the Corolla for only $8,000. Cars are sold with a 3-month power train warranty. A pre-purchase off-site inspection is “no problem”. More>>

A & K Auto Centre
900 Kingsway
VancouverPass

2010 Results
Civic ad reads "one owner, great condition." Seller discloses the Civic was in a collision and showed buyers a history search report indicating claims of $9000 and $2200. The Corolla was advertised as "one owner, very clean. Collision history report shows a claim for $ 8269. Seller explains that both cars passed ICBC inspection. Paperwork shows inspection performed by Cales Collision Rebuilders. Cars for sale appear to be in better condition overall compared to a previous APA visit in 2007.

Lucky 8 Auto
715 Kingsway
VancouverFail

2013 Results
Lucky 8 was the worst dealer of the investigation. This dealer ran materially different ads in English than in Chinese. When APA translated the ads for the Legacy and Rogue appearing in the EasyTradeWeekly, a Chinese language paper, (Issue 34, October 13, 2012), they indicated “no accident”. In English there were no representations to that effect. More>>

Lucky 8 Auto Sales Ltd.
715 Kingsway
VancouverFail

2010 Results
Off-site inspection permitted with a deposit. Seller suggests buyers put a deposit with the following conditions, "subject to road test, inspection and financing." Most vehicles are trades from dealers or people leaving the country. Seller under-reported collision damage on the Corolla. APA reports fenders, grill and front bumper repair, hood replaced and three doors repainted. Seller said "Echo had "no accident". History search reported 2 collision repairs at $1391.92 and $5996.69. High DOC fee of $475 not mentioned in ad. Seller would wave it if buyers would sign the deal "today." Some pressure to close.

ML Motors
1560 Kingsway
VancouverPass

2013 Results
The seller is careful to check the file on each vehicle before making any declarations about prior collisions. He takes care to read the complete information in the file to the shoppers. The Impreza is from out of province, and he doesn't see any claims in the file. The white CR-V is from Regina and has had a few claims: $1120 in 2011, $2900 in 2008. APA’s expert reports that all vehicles on the lot look decent. The Impreza has been repainted in front, on the hood, fenders and doors. The tires and brakes are worn; the engine has been shampooed but there are no obvious oil leaks (they’re common with this model). It has new antifreeze. The seller permits an on-site inspection only as “there's only two of us here…” More>>

Technique Auto Sales
225 Kinsway
VancouverFail

2010 Results
Offsite inspection not permitted. Seller will accept a BCAA inspection onsite with a deposit. Seller under-reports damage on the Jetta, "There was an accident but it was minor, $200 or $300." APA inspection reports a frontal impact with damage to fenders and grill and repairs to bumper. The hood was removed and replaced. History report shows a claim for $6243. Excessive DOC fee of $495.

Curbsider (Mehdi K.)
1450 Chestnut St
VancouverFail

2013 Results
A curbsider is a person in the business of selling vehicles for a profit, but passing himself off as a private individual selling their personal vehicle. Curbsiders are usually not licensed, so beyond the reach of most of the oversight by regulators. This visit earned a Fail because the curbsider misrepresented himself as the owner. The curber’s location is an outdoor parking lot behind an apartment building shared by the tenants. A few vehicles appear to have no license plates. The seller tells the shoppers he and his wife are both selling their SUVs, as they don’t need them since moving to Kitsilano. They are sharing one license plate between both vehicles to keep costs down. More>>

Curbsider (Ken)
3175 15 th Street
VancouverFail

2010 Results
Ken misrepresented the extent of the damage as a $2000 or $3000 small rear impact. Inspection at APA repair shop indicated that there was a major rear-end collision. The floor and right frame rail were repaired and the quarter panels had lots of body filler in places. It was a full body repair including undercarriage. The quality of the rebuilding is substandard. CarFax reports salvage rebuilt titles. ICBC reveals injury claim still pending from a collision. Ken misrepresented his ownership of the vehicle, the scope of the damage, and the fact that it was not a private sale. Ken said there would be one tax, indicative of a private sale. Plate # D5 5509 used by Ken is a demonstrator plate, not that of a private owner. W5 traces the plate to car's true owner, Ace garage. Seller told shopper it was a private sale, "Well this is a private sale because it is your car, yes? asks shopper' "Yea." Shopper adds, "So I pay one tax?" "Yea." (Note: Curber not calculated in the dealer totals.)

Curbsider (Victor)
8638 Hudson
VancouverFail

2010 Results
Seller declares the Yaris is "mint", only a plastic cover was changed after the collision. ICBC "took the car" away after the collision. Seller says he bought it back through a friend who is a dealer. Offsite inspection at a repair shop indicates repair acceptable but the Yaris has had body and frame damage; clamp marks from frame machine, front and rear repainted". Garage report indicates the paint is rough and a poor color match and the rear hatch to bumper not aligned. Four wheel alignment verification confirms readings are within acceptable tolerances. Seller says, "I am second owner." CarFax reports that the Yaris has a salvage title and has had five owners. Plate # 089 PCA used by curbsider for road test and drive to garage for inspection is reported as unassigned to any vehicle. (Note: Curber not calculated in the dealer totals.)